Gifts & Promises

GIFTS AND PROMISES

Part 1 of 10 in Promises of God Series
Colossians 1:22

“But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.”

“Did you make a New Year’s resolution?” Cassie asked her fifth grade classmate, Jeremy, after returning to school.

Jeremy smiled before answering, “I heard you before Christmas recess, Cassie. Actually, my new year’s resolution is to not pull your hair when sitting behind you in class!” (See 2013 Resolution Suggestion devotion).

Cassie giggled, and playfully hit Jeremy’s arm. “Did you get everything you wanted for Christmas?” she asked.

“Sure did! How about you?”

Cassie nodded her head, saying, “Yeah. I even got a few things I didn’t realize I needed.”

People love getting and giving gifts. The Father loves giving gifts. Jesus does, too. Jesus’ gift to the Father are believers presented holy, without blemish, and free from accusation—according to the opening Scripture. God loves His creation so much that Jesus gave the Father back His kids—holy, and free from the sins that Jesus’ death paid for. Jesus united His Church (believers)—to the Father—the gift of reconciliation.

The gifts people exchange with one another are not equal. But God’s gifts are unequaled in every way. We know that the Father would only accept a perfect sacrifice to satisfy payment of sins—one without physical or sin blemish. Jesus knew that only He could meet the Father’s perfect-sacrifice requirement. He wanted nothing more than to bring the Father’s kids back into Their family.

Jesus’ homerun of living sinlessly, dying on the cross, and rising to life covered all the bases. His ascension landed Him safely on the Home Plate in Heaven. Jesus’ resurrection defeated death! The Father rewards eternal life to everyone who believes in His Son, Jesus (John 3:16). Jesus’ obedience to the Father’s will gifted both the Father AND all believers in Him.

ETERNAL SALVATION cost Jesus His life—a gift to believers that He willingly paid!

Christians are the blessed receivers of gifts and promises that we could never have known enough to request.

God’s shower of gifts begins the moment anyone accepts Jesus as Savior and Lord. Gifts we didn’t realize how much we needed: justification, redemption, and grace are so appreciated by God’s grateful-for-Jesus kids. The indwelling Holy Spirit is icing on the cake of salvation! Accepting Jesus as Lord also awards fallen people with new lives. Believers are transformed into new creations, no longer slaves to sin (2 Corinthians5:17).

Take Home Nugget

This series will detail nine of God’s promises—more gifts that we didn’t know enough to request.

The Father’s best gift of Jesus should awaken our deepest gratitude.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Gifts & Promises

A personal, private lesson experience with our staff

Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.